Former Miss America headlines orchestra concert

Former Miss America Susan Powell will perform at Oklahoma Christian University with the Oklahoma Community Orchestra on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Powell's performance and the world premiere of a fanfare by Oklahoma composer Callen Clarke highlight the opening concert of the orchestra's 2012-13 season, to be held in OC's Hardeman Auditorium.

Since her year as Miss America in 1981, Powell has performed in theatres, opera houses and concert halls all over the world. She also hosted "Home Matters," which ran for 12 seasons on the Discovery Channel.

New York audiences have seen the Oklahoma native as Alcamene in "Olympus On My Mind" and as Johanna in Harold Prince’s production of "Sweeney Todd" at the New York City Opera. She made her operatic debut as Adele in "Die Fledermaus" with the Seattle Opera and returned the following season as Micaela in "Carmen."

In addition to sharing the stage with Powell, the orchestra will perform additional selections at the Oct. 16 concert, including Howard Hanson's Second Symphony (the Romantic), Don Gillis' Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera, and Callen Clarke's Spark.

The OCO commissioned Clarke to write Spark to kick off the orchestra's 29th season. He said "all the teachers in the state of Oklahoma" inspired this piece.

Tickets cost $10 at the door and $8 if purchased in advance online at www.okorchestra.org. Children under 13 will be admitted free of charge. OC students, faculty, and staff are admitted free of charge with their OC ID.

The OCO is the "orchestra-in-residence" at Oklahoma Christian University. Several OC students, alumni, and faculty perform in the orchestra, which is conducted by OC professor of music Dr. John Fletcher.